Biological Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Biological Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $63,510 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,529 take-home, or $4,211 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median biological technician salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,441
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,938
- Medicare (1.45%)$921
- District of Columbia income tax$2,682
- Take-home pay$50,529
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Biological Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,130 | $22.18 | $37,644 | $3,137 |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 | $40,573 | $3,381 |
| Median (50th) | $63,510 | $30.53 | $50,529 | $4,211 |
| 75th percentile | $78,070 | $37.53 | $60,085 | $5,007 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,900 | $43.70 | $68,020 | $5,668 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,510 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median biological technician's $50,529 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,406 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Biological Technician jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for biological technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #16 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $95,220 | $69,954 | $60,507 |
| 2 | Worcester, MA | $69,730 | $54,619 | $53,274 |
| 3 | Richmond, VA | $65,210 | $51,641 | $52,771 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $72,940 | $56,572 | $51,232 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $59,550 | $48,301 | $50,474 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $65,140 | $52,362 | $49,500 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $61,280 | $50,095 | $48,487 |
| 8 | Durham, NC | $58,400 | $47,283 | $48,460 |
| 16 | Washington, DC | $63,510 | $50,529 | $46,406 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological technician make in Washington, DC?
The median biological technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $63,510 a year, or about $30.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,070 and $78,070.
What is a biological technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $63,510 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $50,529 a year ($4,211 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,682 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a biological technician?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $57,510. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,406 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #16 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a biological technician afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median biological technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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